James Karen, ‘Mr. Teague’ of ‘Poltergeist,’ is dead at 94

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 27: Actor James Karen attends the 'Sympathy For Delicious' after party on April 27, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

James Karen, ‘Mr. Teague’ of ‘Poltergeist,’ is dead at 94

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 27: Actor James Karen attends the 'Sympathy For Delicious' after party on April 27, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

NEW YORK — James Karen, a former TV pitchman who later worked with Buster Keaton and made memorable appearances in “Poltergeist” and “Return of the Living Dead,” has died. He was 94.

Karen’s friend Bruce Goldstein told The Associated Press that he died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. He had been battling respiratory ailments.

Karen’s career dated back to the early years of television, when he was featured in Pathmark commercials. His many film credits included Buster Keaton’s “Film,” based on a script by Samuel Beckett, to “The China Syndrome” and “Mulholland Drive.”